celebrating 50 years

Web Stories and Signature Series Articles

How has America's connection to maritime places changed over the years? How have past presidents shaped the protection of special ocean places? What are some of the most exciting discoveries in your national marine sanctuaries? Each month, check back for new articles that delve into these topics, and more!

Flourishing coral reef bank surrounded by fish

Celebrate 50 Years of Spectacular National Marine Sanctuaries!

a diver swims next to the 'big momma' coral head in national marine sanctuary of american samoa

Colossal Corals Open a Window to the Past: Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator Dr. David Wiley holds a shearwater examined as part of his research project looking at seabirds in the sanctuary.

One Ocean: The Management of Sanctuaries in a Global Ocean

sunseting in the distance while waves crash over rocks along the beach

The Changing Nature of Sanctuary

kids jump for joy on a beach with the sunset and the ocean in the background

Save Spectacular: The Next 50 Years of Ocean Conservation

a plankton viewed under a microscope. The plankton shown here is a translucent, globular, symmetrical object with a black background.

Plankton Visit 50 States to Celebrate 50 Years of National Marine Sanctuaries

Sherman's Lagoon Celebrating National Marine Sanctuary System's 50th Anniversary

group of students birdwatching on the beach

We're All Wet! The Ancient Roots of Modern Water Recreation

sunrising in the distance along the beach

Wild Sanctuaries: Wildlife, Wild Places, and Wild Being

a collage showing an eel, anemone, sea lion, surfers, a shipwreck, a sea turtle, and a white bird

Get Inspired by Amazing Images in National Marine Sanctuaries

people gather by a fire pit on the beach with a tent in the foreground and the ocean in the background

Ready for a Camping Adventure? Introducing New Camping Itineraries

colorful fish swim around a reef

Introducing National Marine Sanctuaries Forever® Stamps

A little girl jumps happily on top of rocks beside the ocean

Playing for Keeps: The Vitality of an Ocean Nation At Play

paddleboarder sitting on their board and paddling

Enjoy Spectacular:
What Does Adventure Mean to You?

a shipwreck underwater with marine life living on and around it

Explore Spectacular: From Weapon of War to Island of Life

A black and white photo of a steamship

Explore Spectacular: History and Economy of the Great Lakes Region

a humpback whale feeding at the surface with several birds flying close overhead

Explore Spectacular: Where the Humpback Feeds

thousands of tiny white dots float in the water column above a boulder coral

Mass Coral Spawning: Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries

a photo from the deep sea showing several octopus on rocky formations

Explore Spectacular: Biodiversity at Davidson Seamount

a woodblock print of a large wave hitting several boats

Communion: Ocean and Creativity

view of the perseid meteor shower in the night sky

The Power of Wow: A Half-Century of Discovery in Ocean Parks

A woman photographing the sunset at the beach

You Have to See/Sea This! A Sanctuary History of Visual Engagement

A woman stands with a horse

The Hidden Figures in the History of the Sanctuary System

a picture of a whale breaching the water with the words national marine sanctuaries celebrating 50 years

Discover the National Marine Sanctuary System through New Education Collections

Painting by Tom Freeman of the uss monitor sinking in a violent storm

Depths of Courage: Heroism at Sea and in Sanctuaries

brightly colored corals

Storied Seas: The Names and Tales of Sanctuary Places

A sketch of people ecploring a river

Presidents and Parks: The Untold Story of the Ocean Legacy of the Nation's Leaders

lithograph depicting sail ships and row boat hunting spearm whales with spears

The Making of a Maritime Nation: The Ocean of a Past, Present, and Future America